IPL Prunes Players' Auction List To 51

Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Kiwi paceman Shane Bond and Caribbean batting sensation Keiron Pollard are among 51 cricketers, who have been shortlisted by the Indian Premier League for its January 19 player auction.Ramnaresh Sarwan (West

Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Kiwi paceman Shane Bond and Caribbean batting sensation Keiron Pollard are among 51 cricketers, who have been shortlisted by the Indian Premier League for its January 19 player auction.

The list includes 11 Australians, nine South Africans, eight Sri Lankans, eight West Indians, seven Pakistanis and an assortment of players from across the Bangladesh, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

The auction, to be held in Mumbai, will also feature for the first time players from Holland and Canada. As per the guidelines set by the IPL Governing Council, each Franchisee will have a fresh purse of USD 750,000 to buy players.

"The IPL had received nearly 100 entries from international players, of which the eight franchisees had short listed 60 players for the auction on January 19th and out of which only 51 have been cleared for the auction. The remaining will be featured pending NOCs from the home boards," a release from the organisers said.

The third edition of the highly popular Twenty20 event will begin on March 12.